22nd October 2000

Kids in a toy shop

"Thaaththa", Bindu Udagedera asked, "do they want to have a national government?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, thaaththa, they all agreed to appoint AB as the Speaker."

"That is because it is advantageous to the government." Percy said.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, Bindu, the opposition loses one more vote."

"Why is that important, thaaththa?" Bindu wanted to know.

"Why, Bindu, the government has only a slight majority in Parliament. If someone falls ill for example, they could be in trouble."

"Don't worry, thaaththa, that won't happen." Bindu assured.

"How can you say that?" Percy demanded.

"Why, thaaththa, when Satellite loses the support of one MP, she will do something and get the support of another."

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, thaaththa, when Rauff was making too many demands, she went and met Ms. Ashraff."

"But she can't do that with everyone."

"Well she can always dangle a Cabinet portfolio before them."

"But the Cabinet has already been selected." Percy argued.

"But thaaththa, it has forty three members."

"So, how can they include any more people in it?" Percy wanted to know.

"Why, thaaththa, if the people who promised to have a twenty member cabinet can have forty three ministers, what difference does it make if they have fifty five ministers or even more?" Bindu asked.

"That's true", Percy conceded, "but how can she suddenly expand the cabinet again?"

"Don't worry, thaaththa, she will do it if she wants to."

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, thaaththa, ministers like Reggie who were sworn in without aportfolio in the morning were given a portfolio in the evening."

"But, Bindu", Percy argued, "Satellite must have found it difficult to allocate the subjects."

"That's true", Bindu agreed, "that's why we have a minister looking after fishermen's houses. We may soon have a Minister of Brinjal Exports and a Minister of Well-water Development."

"But I suppose Satellite has to keep everyone happy."

"She will be keeping a lot of people happy." Bindu agreed.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, thaaththa, for every minister, there will be a deputy minister. And for each minister and deputy minister there will be a secretary, telephone, vehicles and bodyguards. So, the more ministers we have, the more people we make happy."

"It's not a bad policy" Percy agreed.

"But even then, thaaththa, most of the Ministers looked unhappy when they took their oaths. " Bindu said.

"But, that's only understandable."

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, so many people have had their portfolios taken away from them."

"Who are they?" Bindu wanted to know.

"Why, Seeni Bola has had Sports and Youth Affairs taken away from him."

"Well, at least Susie can run in peace now."

"Then, G.L has had Justice taken away from him."

"That must be after he broke so many election laws with his banners and posters."

"Even Mangala had the powerful Media Ministry taken away from him."

"Why, thaaththa," Bindu recalled, "even Fowzie for all his good work had Transport taken away from him."

"Anyway, Satellite must be having reasons for her decisions." Percy argued.

"And you can't really blame her for appointing all these people too." Bindu declared.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, thaaththa, she has to distribute all these ministries and still keep everyone happy."

"It is a difficult job." Percy agreed.

"Why, thaaththa, see what happened to the Sihala Urumaya when they tried to distribute just one seat."

"That's no more a Sihala Urumaya" Percy said.

"Then, what's it?" Bindu wanted to know.

"It's more like 'Sihala Karumaya' now." Percy said.

Bindu didn't disagree.

The Jungle Telegraph

Editorial/ Opinion Contents